What were your first thoughts when you read this title? Did it take you back to your teen years when promise rings were given after going steady? Those dainty little rings with a stone, the ring that may have actually turn your finger green. Perhaps this promise ring followed your beloved’s class ring worn on your finger that had been wrapped in yarn or first aid tape, so that it would fit your finger.
Whatever the ring was it meant something more than a casual friendship. It was a commitment of sorts. Telling anyone who saw that you had made a promise to someone else and we’re not available. This promise ring proudly worn and shown off to friends in the locker room, bathroom, classes, in public, at parties and sleepovers. To be wearing a promise ring as a teenager was a pretty special experience.
I have to pause and ask if you ever received a promise ring do you still have it? At the time it may have been all you could think of, and your life revolved around that special ring, and what it meant to you. Do you remember who gave it to you?
Today I am reflecting on two years ago, saying goodbye to Ken. He was my best friend, husband, and blessed me with the best promise ring I had ever had when we married. Years later He replaced my first ring that was purchased on sale to meet our budget. This new ring was one that he said he wanted everyone to know how much my husband loves me. I must admit, I really didn’t need or want a bigger ring or anything fancy, but it meant so much to him and I wore it proudly. His promise to me was displayed in so many ways as a Godly husband and friend. The rings were just a a symbol and reminder to me that I was loved.
Two years ago today, I wrapped my hands around my husband’s hands as he was preparing to breathe his last breath. Just weeks before he had wrapped his hands around mine, assuring me that everything would be OK and that God would take care of me.
Shortly after Ken died, I put away the newest ring that he had put on my finger just 15 years before And laid it next to the rings he had given me previously, and on our wedding day 33yrs before. I hen put on my finger a simple silver band engraved with his name and date he entered heaven along with Romans 8:28 which he wanted me to always remember.
Today I placed a new promise ring on my finger. A few weeks ago I discovered this ring in a faith based jewelry counter while walking through a local department store. I had prayed that God would lead me to a ring that would represent my promise to God and his promise to me. What I found In this design is that central to everything in my life is Jesus Christ. All the love that surrounds me, or that I am able to give others is from the love that he first gave me.
Today, as I reached the milestones of two years Since Ken passed and entering his third year I replaced my simple band with this new promise ring. I am trusting in God, and all the many promises he has for me, and I am promising him my faithfulness and willingness to go and do as he desires in my life.
My thoughts about a promise ring, certainly changed throughout my life. And this promise ring has a most important place on my hand and in my life now. Every time I look at my ring, I can be reminded of the promises God has made to me and I am making to him. And anyone looking at my ring knows that I am loved by my father in heaven, and that I love him. The ultimate promise ring.
Thank you for sharing this journey with me. I so appreciate your time and encouragement. May God bless you today and always and remind you of the many promises he has for you.
Let us hold unswervingly to the hope we profess, for he who promised is faithful. Hebrews 10:23
Pati Rader 
Pati,
It was a breath of fresh air seeing and visiting with you today! Your story, your life, your promise ring and friendship are such a beautiful blessing! Praying for you always!
Love you much 🤍
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Dear Pati, As always I enjoy reading your comments. May GOD bless ya with a special blessing every time you look at your new promise ring. Warm hugs to you.
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It was a joy to see you tonight, friend. I think about you often and will be praying for you in this third year as you lean even deeper into God’s arms as He leads you forward each and everyday. You are so dearly loved, Pati. – Jess
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Precious, sentiment. I had an engraved bracelet that in 1967 was given to me by a very special young man in 9th grade. He had my name on the front and his on the back. We did do class rings later, dental floss wrap with clear nail polish to size. The monogramed bracelet is still in my jewelry box. This past November, my daughter asked, mom can we go thru your jewelry box and you tell me more about the rings and stories. We spent 3 hours having one of the most heart to heart times that were so authentic and precious. I asked her would she like a few of the rings to wear now? She took a few simple ones I had in High School, she found the Monogramed bracelet and asked Who was Keith. I got to tell her about our time in 9th-11th grade. She then choose a gold wedding band, with old initials, engraved inside, CW to AW in script. She said was this grandmas’ and I said no, it was my Grandmothers who remarried late in life, she was 80 and Charles Weinard was 84. She asked why not L. and I said, actually this was Mr. Weinards first wife who was a midwife, and they never had children. He became a widower late in live. He had a simple Victorian home, with antique furnishings, front and back porch with a cellar and backyard art studio, lots of gardens, fruit trees, and vegetable rows and rows of flowers and bulbs, he was an artist and painter. He had been a friend with my grandmother, who lost everything in 1929, her business, her home and never had a home after that date, other than rental room or rented home. Years later in late, 1940’s He said to her, I want you to have my home, I have no heirs and you have no home. They married as the oldest couple in the Lutheran church, she attended. She took care of him, thru his aging, and he passed in 1953. She went on to live in the home until 1969 when she fell at 98 and broke her hip. She had taken in other ladies, who needed care, and she cooked for them and helped with their needs. She lived to be 100 yrs. SO…my daughter said why did Grandmother keep the first wife’s ring? I told her Gold has value, and grandma, inherited all of the first wife’s, furniture, kitchen ware, everything. Since grandmother at 80 had not had her own possessions. She beamed, and said, Mr. Weinard wanted to bestow, honor and dignity to a friend he had known for along time, who lived a frugal life and he was able to pass an inheritance to her. The home is where Me and my cousins and all the family could come to ‘grandmas house’ and she had a home that no one could take away. She was grateful for the ‘gift’ of grace and dignity, that in her older age, she could have a home again. So now the ring is worn by my daughter, and she knows the story. Our time in November 2022 was appointed for us to share about generational gifting. Praise be to our Father, our hope and provider, his Son our Lord Jesus Christ
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My dear Patti, this is so beautiful. What a gift that you share your journey and your heart so openly. God’s promises to us are beyond what we can ever ask or imagine, and you have such insight into that truth. I love your promise ring and the faith within it. I love and miss you, and thank you for your courage. 💜✝️
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